Safe Luxury

When can I let my kitten roam free?

My kitten is 3 months old and uses his litter box. I let him out when I come home from work and for a couple of hours on the weekend. I place him back in his safe room after a couple of hours to use the litter box because I'm afraid he won't go if he doesn't see it. When can I tell he is big or smart enought to roam the house and go to the litter box on his own?

Public Comments

1. When he has shown he knows what it's for - you may want to gove him two rooms to show you that he knows what it's for, if he's in the same room it's in sight so he won't miss it but if it's not in sight, he needs to show it's not out of mind ;)
2. If a kitty uses a litter box it will generally keep using it. I would let it out of the "safe" room when home and awake.
3. he is already. you put them in it once maybe twice. once they know it is there and have used it they are good. it is in their instincts. The only time you need to show it to him is if you move it or you get another one.
4. It doesn't take a cat long to learn to use the litterbox. If you keep the box in the same place all the time, he won't forget where it is. Just keep it clean so that he doesn't grow unsatisfied with it and want to go somewhere else. I'm sure he knows by now. I've rarely had to show a cat more than once where the litterbox and the food are. I've had cats for 30 years.
5. He should already be. Let him roam the house while you're there. Experiment. If it doesn't work, take steps with him. You know, gradually increase where he can go until it includes the whole house. He knows where his litterbox is and he will go back to it to use it. Hope this helps :=)
6. My kittens are a month old and they roam free! I think yours is old enough. Just make sure you put away hazardous items(plastic bags for mine). Close the doors to the bedrooms if you can to keep him in a central location.
7. He is old enough to be with you when you are home anywhere in the house. You can then learn what he might be inclined to "get into" when you're not there and what might be dangerous for him. Just put a litterbox out somewhere and let him know it's there. At three months he's well-developed neurologically and not going as much as when younger and has good control. Like a toilet-trained youngster.
8. If he is using the litter box,he IS ready. If he can find the box by himself, and has a nice safe place to hang out, with food and water then leave him out, and when you get home, he will either greet you at the door, or wake up from a long nap when he sees you. :)
9. let him roam freely...